I've started my formal writeup for SNOWBLIND. It's not easy trying to make "throwing shite at the wall and hoping it sticks" sound scientific, but thankfully I have a bit of insight into how to do that from my time in uni. I'm no doctorate-holder, though, so it may not be perfect. I'm attaching a secure neuralink to the papers. If you have any suggestions on what to include, let me know; it's still a WIP, but I've got a whole red-yarn-noticeboard of stuff in my quarters. We definitely need to talk about Hawkins here too, somehow. Maybe we could even coax her into helping us out. Lemme know what you think.
So here's what I'm thinking: let me put my research methods hat on. Been a minute since I wore that one, sheesh!
Alright, If we were to divide the upcoming experiment into five stages (Observation, Theory, Hypothesis, Research, Outcome), the present info really nails down the Observation and Theory components. You've seen and closely experienced the relevant phenomena at play. As have I. From these observations, informed by your historical understanding of prior research into these phenomena, comes the theory you've presented.
My suggestion now is straightforwardly formalizing the Hypothesis component regarding the mirror. What are our variables? The differences between our control and experimental groups? What effect do we expect to see, and how will we measure it? The structural stuff before we get things rolling.
I know you've got most of that well in hand, so when it comes to measurement, I'm personally intrigued by holo-tainment bands' capability to simulate human perception via the component BNPs' organic "fuzzy" nature and their ease of electrical interface with the brain's neurochemistry. Mentioned this briefly in Cortez.
Rather than imposing a simulated reality (as fun as holo-novels can be), having the process work in reverse to "save" a participants' perception of their experience within the mirror to a processor, which then might be computerized and examined digitally with the appropriate equipment, could be an extremely valuable means of data collection here. It's not the most common use for them, though - something to do with the BNPs' organic nature and short shelf life, if I remember right? Plus, we'd need to make sure such a device being present in the mirror doesn't confound its effectiveness and threaten the internal validity of the experiment. The same goes for standard EEG cables and neuromonitoring equipment.
And with that, research methods hat is off now.
Now, about Hawkins... coax her into helping? How so? She certainly has a persistent interest here, but I'm not sure of her motives yet.
Hey. Any chance you'd be interested in a little trip to Canaria with me? I want to continue this conversation, but I also need someone to show me around just a bit.
I should be able to fit it in the schedule, yeah. I haven't spent much time there myself outside the city, so I'd be glad to check it out with you. There are some things that'll keep me busy in Pennsylvania, you can probably imagine, but I can work around it.
Sorry for the inordinate delay in response. Things are, as always, busy.
I was going to suggest sometime within the next two or three days, but it looks like I'm grounded for the next few days. Hopefully nothing too bad. I heard about your little "experience", by the way. If you have any anxieties, we can talk it over together once this newest snag, whatever it is, is addressed.